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Having taken a pair of college pitchers with their first two picks last June for only the second time in draft history, the Braves were hoping to add some depth at the major league level in the not-too-distant future. That scenario remains on track given the early progress displayed by first-rounder Mike Minor and third-round selection David Hale.

Every organization has a player or two who seems to fly under the radar despite putting together consistent performances. Righthander Brett Butts falls into that category, although that trend could be on the verge of ending.

Many observers looked at the Braves' recent deal that sent Javier Vazquez to the Yankees as a trade for outfielder Melky Cabrera. As far as both teams' front offices were concerned, that was far from the case.

The Braves left Indianapolis and the Winter Meetings still in search of a first baseman and a righthanded bat, preferably one with some semblance of power. Yet chances are the fit could be temporary due to Freddie Freeman's rapid development.

Lee Hyde is an Atlanta kind of guy. After growing up just south of the city, in Fayetteville, Ga., Hyde spent three years at Georgia Tech before getting drafted by the Braves in the fourth round in 2006. Despite encountering a road block in the form of Tommy John surgery midway through his first four seasons in the organization, the lefthanded reliever could be a candidate for the big league bullpen in 2010.

The 2009 season was not unlike other South Atlantic League campaigns for low Class A Rome. Featuring one of the youngest rosters in the league, the R-Braves fielded a prospect-laden pitching staff. While righthanders Zeke Spruill and Randall Delgado lived up to expectations, a less-heralded pitcher established himself as one of the better arms in the organization as well.

Nothing about Todd Redmond's performances on the mound were particularly exciting, excluding the often overlooked notches in the win column. Therighthander proved once again in the World Cup that the end result is all that matters.

Rarely does a 29-year-old utility man signed as a minor league free agent make an impact at the major league level. Brooks Conrad, however, proved to be the exception to the rule during his three-week stint with Atlanta.

It's no secret that a series of trades involving more than a dozen prospects thinned the Atlanta farm system. Yet deals that brought in the likes of Javier Vazquez and Nate McLouth have also provided more opportunity for those still battling in the Braves organization. A perfect example is Jesus Sucre.